October 4th, 1997.
PJ Stock sends the crowd of 12,934 into a frenzy when he scores the first goal in Wolf Pack history.
A decade later, he and head coach E.J. McGuire return to their old stomping grounds to drop the ceremonial puck and kick off the 10th season of Hartford Wolf Pack hockey. The names and faces are much different than they were back in the late 1990's, but the mission has remained the same. Hence, the Wolf Pack's new slogan for the upcoming season: "10 Years... 1 Mission".
The mission, of course, being to win perhaps the most coveted trophy in all of minor league hockey: the Calder Cup. The Pack managed to accomplish that feat back in 2000 under the guidance of John Paddock, and in doing so etched their names in the annals of the American Hockey League. However, that's in the past. This season, the Pack have a chance to capture the Calder Cup yet again, with a highly talented team set to take the ice tonight for the first time in the 2006-2007 season. Led by second-year captain Craig Weller, who inherited the reins from Ken Gernander midway through last season, the Pack appear to be a considerably more offensive and physical force than they were last season. Sure, they have a considerable list of departures, but they’ve filled the void with new faces who have the potential to blossom if given enough ice time.
Let’s look at the long list of departures. Noticeable players who aren’t returning from last season are forwards Nigel Dawes, Alexandre Giroux, Martin Sonnenberg, Chad Wiseman, and Colby Genoway, defensemen Thomas Pock and Martin Grenier, and goaltender Robert Gherson. The Rangers and Wolf Pack replaced these players with a an influx of new talent who are ready to step into an AHL lineup and contribute on a regular basis.
Last Season: Nigel Dawes
Replaced By: Ryan Callahan
Dawes and Callahan are both players who are small in stature, but big in talent. While Callahan checks in at 5’11, the Rochester native exhibited the same scoring prowess that Nigel Dawes possessed in junior hockey last season with the Guelph Storm. Callahan scored 52 goals and added 32 assists in just 62 games while captaining the Storm to the third round of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs. He’s also not afraid to block shots and play the defensive side of the puck. Expect Callahan to play the same role in Hartford that Nigel Dawes did, a top six forward who gets a substantial amount of ice time. Don’t be surprised to see him spend time on the power play and penalty kill units as well.
Last Season: Alexandre Giroux
Replaced By: Lauri Korpikoski
How can one possibly replace the offensive capabilities of one Alexandre Giroux? It’s not easy, but the Wolf Pack will rely on Finnish prospect Lauri Korpikoski to elevate his game to another level. The stat line on the first round prospect doesn’t say much, but keep in mind that he was a teenager playing in the competitive Finish Elite League with players who have been playing considerably longer than him. Korpikoski managed just seven points in 51 games, but he wasn’t getting an excessive amount of ice time like he will in Hartford. When he came over to North America at the end of last season he scored 2 goals in 5 games before calming down in the playoff run. Over the summer he got bigger, stronger, and now he’s ready to play top line minutes. Expect a big season from Korpikoski, he’ll get some help from his talented line mates.
Last Season: Martin Sonnenberg
Replaced By: Lee Falardeau
Martin Sonnenberg was the epitome of a pure energy player, someone who brought 110% to the table every night and led the team on the ice. Now, Lee Falardeau is ready to take over. Falardeau, known for being a solid third liner in previous years, is all set for a breakout season. He scored four goals in the final two preseason games, and appears more confident out on the ice. He is one of the more experienced players in the locker room, and while he may not wear an “A”, neither did Sonnenberg. That didn’t prevent him from leading, and it won’t prevent Falardeau either. He’s already turned a lot of heads, and you should expect him to turn a lot more as the season progresses.
Last Season: Chad Wiseman
Replaced By: Zdenek Bahensky
Bahensky joins the Wolf Pack from the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL, where managed 55 points in 62 games last season. Respectable numbers, but they don’t take into account the number of punishing hits he laid down. Having seen Bahensky in a couple of preseason games, I can safely say the kid hits. He hits hard, and he hits often. He may not put up the numbers that Chad Wiseman did playing on the checking line last season, but he definitely adds a significantly more physical presence on the ice. You don’t notice Bahensky for his offense, you notice him because he’s laying people out at center ice. The Pack concede leadership and offense at this position in favor of physicality, a fair trade off considering the amount of other offensive talent.
Last Season: Colby Genoway
Replaced By: Greg Moore
One of the more pleasant surprises last season was the offensive explosion put forth by the Nigel Dawes-Dwight Helminen-Colby Genoway line. Genoway will be replaced this season by another former college hockey player in Greg Moore, who signed with the Wolf Pack last year following the end of the Maine Black Bears season. Moore recorded points in both regular season games he played, and added 7 points in 13 playoff games. With an expanded role and top line minutes this season, expect Moore to put up similar numbers to those he put up in college. Moore (no relation to former Wolf Pack center Dominic) recorded 106 points in 153 career college contests, with his final year being his most productive. He nearly doubled his total points production recording 44 points including 28 goals, compared to his previous high total of 23 points including 14 goals.
Last Season: Thomas Pock
Replaced By: Martin Richter / Marvin Degon
You would have trouble finding anyone who could duplicate Thomas Pock’s record setting 61 point season, but if anyone could even come close it’d be Czech defenseman Martin Richter. Richter, who is now in his second tour of duty with the Wolf Pack, wasn’t an offensive force in his previous games with the Wolf Pack. However, after a strong season in the Czech Republic, Richter is back with the Pack and ready to contribute. In the 2005-2006 season, Richter recorded 26 points from the blue line for his team. By comparison, and I’m only using this as a bench mark, the most points Rangers superstar Petr Prucha recorded in a Czech season was 24. Now, I’m not expecting Richter to come in and put up the same numbers that Thomas Pock did -- or put up Prucha like numbers -- but I am expecting him to put up some better numbers on offense than he did during his previous stay with the Wolf Pack. He should also be able to play better defensively than Pock did, though I only have one preseason game to back that claim up. He’ll have Marvin Degon helping him out on the point as well. The right-handed defenseman had no problems transitioning into the AHL game following the conclusion of his college career last season. Degon himself into a mainstay on the Wolf Pack’s blue line. Look for him to improve his offensive production.
Last Season: Martin Grenier
Replaced By: Francis Lessard
The role of enforcer this season will more than likely be played by Francis Lessard, who earned a contract with the Pack after training camp. In 36 games last season with the Chicago Wolves, Lessard tallied 5 points and 161 penalty minutes. An interesting note about him, he scored his only two goals of last season just 50 seconds apart. So, when he scores, he scores in bunches. He brings 91 games of NHL experience to the Wolf Pack locker room, and he won a Calder Cup in 2003 with the Chicago Wolves.
Last Season: Robert Gherson
Replaced By: Steve Valiquette
The Wolf Pack’s biggest upgrade this season came in the goaltending department, with the departure of Robert Gherson and the arrival of proven AHL goalie Steve Valiquette. Valiquette, who split time between the pipes with Jason LaBarbera in the 2004-2005 season joins Al Montoya between the pipes for this season of Wolf Pack hockey. This is a smart move, as should Montoya be injured in any way, the Wolf Pack have a goalie who has proven himself over an extended period of time to take charge. Additionally, Valiquette has the opportunity to mentor Montoya, which will help him improve as a goalie.
Hartford fans should also expect a lot from Brandon Dubinsky in his first full professional year. A top-six forward, Dubinsky exploded onto the AHL scene during the playoffs last season following the end of the Portland Winter Hawks’ season. Now, playing with powerful wingers like Greg Moore, Lauri Korpikoski, and Ryan Callahan, he has the opportunity to expand on his performance last year where he more or less dominated the final few games of the series vs. the Manchester Monarchs, before calming down in the next round vs. Portland.
Hugh Jessiman, who was disappointing to say the least in his first pro season, has worked all summer and looks to make a significant impact on offense this season. To do this, he needs ice time. However, to earn ice time, you have to prove you deserve it. I think he’s at the point where he needs to make an impact, and I also think that he can. He missed a great deal of his last season in college due to an injury, and didn’t wow anyone in his first few games with the Wolf Pack. However, following his demotion to Charlotte and subsequent call up to Hartford, he became a point every other game player. He has to do more than that this year, and he knows it.
Dwight Helminen, Jarkko Immonen, David Liffiton, Dale Purinton, Ivan Baranka, Jake Taylor, Bryce Lampman, and Daniel Girardi all return to Hartford a year older and wiser. Baranka, Liffiton, and Lampman, who have recovered from their injuries, are expected to contribute regularly on defense this season. Lampman, who will likely be given an “A”, is one of the older players in the locker room and has the responsibilities to match that fact. I think he’s capable of putting up numbers similar to those of former defense partner Lawrence Nycholat, assuming he stays healthy.
Rookies Corey Potter, Jakub Petruzalek, and Dane Byers round out the Wolf Pack’s lineup, and they’ll be joined by gritty third-year pro Mark Lee. Hartford also has other players in the pipeline, most notably Bruce Graham, Rick Kozak, and Chris Holt. Holt achieved cult idol status in Hartford last season after his performance in the playoffs following the injury to Al Montoya, but he’ll start the season in Charlotte where he’ll get more playing time. Also in Charlotte are goalie Alex Westlund, forward Mike Ouellette, and defenseman Ryan Constant. Constant earned a contract after his performance in training camp, where he played out of his head. He once won an award for being a “human wrecking ball”, which was well deserved. He hits hard, and despite his small stature he is not the type to be pushed around.
The Pack kick off their milestone 10th anniversary season tonight against their I-91 rival Springfield Falcons. Next Friday, October 13th, they take on their in-state rivals the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at the Civic Center. Hartford hockey fans have waited 145 days for one moment -- tonight. The game starts at 7, the block party starts 5, and the excitement starts right now. Tonight, our players come back.
For a tenth season -- Let’s Go Wolf Pack!
- Calder
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